Well they forecast snow and snow we have received, not in great blankets but as light flurries, I've also woken feeling no better than I was over the weekend, hacking cough, sore throat and sinus issues so rather than doing my usual which is dragging myself into work no matter what I've realised maybe submitting and having a slow day laid on sofa under blankets watching drivel on TV would be a sensible option, however, I wasn't expecting to be joined by said 12 year old who was in tears before leaving for school this morning with his sore throat. So he's joined me on the sofa and changed back into PJ's up to now we've watched 'Up' and 'Madagascar 2' and currently have a Bond film on, I've also managed a lengthy sleep which has made me feel a little more human, however, it would be nice if my feet actually bothered to warm up today as I feel like I'm dragging around two ice blocks as I am.
This layout is document a photo from a local folly belonging to the Wentworth Woodhouse estate, despite it being only a short distance from where we live it was the first time I'd ever been up close to the 3 sided building! We enjoyed taking photos at jaunty angles to accentuate the building and the beautiful blue skies!
I seem to be managing plenty of scrapping at the moment, I don't know whether I've set, what is probably going to be an impossible, challenge of a scrapbook page a day for 2013 - does 365 layouts sound a lot? I've got enough photos to warrant it if I'm honest, just not sure I've got the creative ability to manage that many!
Thanks for visiting - I hope your Monday is proving more productive!
Sunday already and with snow forecast today at some point for our part of the world we're all waiting in anticipation (so much so - hubby gone looking for another snow shovel and bottle of rum which are both apparently essential items, as are breadcakes and more milk).
I've just finished cooking banana and chocolate chip muffins which smell divine - but must refrain from being over indulgent (did a bit too much of that over Christmas as my hips would tell you). Off to visit my brother shortly (with some muffins in tow - well it would be rude not to)! He's moving to Ireland this week with his girlfriend and he's going to leave a massive hole in our lives when he is gone. Having spent 14 years away from family when we only lived 88 miles away, the idea of him being in another country and across water is somewhat daunting. But it's a new fresh start for him and his Missus and I can understand that. So whilst I wish them both well I can't help but feel a little selfish with my own feelings at the moment, having got a tiny social group anyway the loss of anyone in that group is always so huge. However, I'm hoping in the days of social interaction (which was lacking when we lived away) that it might not feel quite so distant, but time will tell.
Anyway enough of my overall sadness thought I'd pop on a photo from our visit to Durham last year, a double page that I did an age ago, however I was really pleased with the overall colours and the paper usage which shows what a dramatic Cathedral it is.
Up close hand stitched detail, punched hearts and matted photos!
Using a die cut circle for the journalling on the two pages to balance the pages up.
I hope your Sunday is proving positive and fruitful!
Morning Rockettes - hope you are all well, it's been the first week back at work for most people and so this week is probably one of those that you need to dig that bit deeper to find those positives and gratefuls to pin point and enjoy - why you might ask? Because we can, because celebrating life's positives is a way of taking stock and keeping the balance. In a world when we have 24 hour news spreading negativity its all too easy to consider that things are down and miserable all the time - they aren't you just need to keep the balance and Rocking your World posts seriously helps retain that balance. If you haven't joined in before, but fancy a go please join in, we are a small band of Rockettes (and more than happy to welcome more) who take the time to celebrate gratefuls and share those experiences with other like minded people with a Rocking post. Don't stress if you don't get chance to put them together every week, don't stress if you don't have lots of pictures, don't stress if you don't have lots of words - if the rocking post is what made you happy this week - then welcome aboard! .
Anyway I think I've laboured what we are about - let's get this post started, unlike last week this one won't be top heavy on photos I'm afraid, so you'll have to just imagine them!
Jamie Oliver's 15 minute meals book - with a problematic 12 year old who rarely if ever tries anything 'new' I realised over Christmas that his food list was become even smaller, so I sat him down with Jamie's book and challenged him to find 6 meals he'd be willing to try (I promised him a crap and chips night provided he made decent headway into all the meals that we did) and he did and up to now 4 nights into this new 'regime' we've eaten 4 different meals, some have been successful some not so much but I'm building a new list of meals that we can all enjoy even if some of them need a small tweak so that he'll eat the meals - so a big grateful if a sensibly written book, with great meals and menus - love it!
Jack Reacher film, now I know a few 'die hard' fans of the books were disappointed in the actor choice of Mr Cruise because he doesn't fill the visual description of the books but all I can say is that he's done a fabulous job of the role, it's a thriller and action movie enjoyed by all three of us, quite violent (to say it's a 12A certificate) but nevertheless a damn good film!
Chloraseptic spray for my throat, when it's that painful that you want to numb the pain - it does the job nicely - a crazy grateful I know but a grateful nonetheless!
Hubby for dragging me out for two walks up to now this week with more planned this weekend (fingers crossed). I hate getting ready but really enjoy the walks once I'm out and about and feel so much more positive when I get home! So thanks hun - you're a star!
Said 12 year for making me feel happy - we have some great conversations particularly in a morning on the journey into town, nattering about his day ahead etc, he really is a joy to be around and he's regained his absolute love of Lego in the last week or so, extended caravans seem to be the order of the day at the moment.
A staff away day is something strange to be grateful for but Northern College is in the building of Wentworth Castle that you are not allowed around as a visitor to Wentworth Castle, so seeing the inside of the building albeit just a few rooms is awesome, the painted ceilings and beautiful glass work were gorgeous as was the pineapple upside down pudding and custard but we won't mention that!
The use of my middle finger on my left hand being possible again, after smashing it with a door last week I've only just regained use of it, we were worried I'd done some serious damage to it, fingers crossed it will recover once the nail has grown out (it looks a little black at the moment!).
A dermatologist that listens, I've always had problem skin and finally managed to get a referral to the hospital, had my first appointment this week, fingers crossed for a way forward, albeit fairly drastic!
No alcohol = night time scrapbooking, I've managed several layouts up to now, using lots of gorgeous papers that my hubby and Mum bought me (plus maybe one or two I've had to treat myself to), I've much fun scrapbooking some photos that I had printed pre-Christmas.
Stargazing live for providing an intellectual programme for the whole family that has been great fun to watch - win win is all I can say!
The girls at work 'putting up' with how demented I get when things get busy, they know what I'm like now and just accept it - bless them!
Making plans for things that need to get sorted this year, albeit a small list at the moment, it's good to plan, particularly in these short days when the temperatures have plummeted.
Right my beautiful Rockettes that's your lot this week, so weird and wonderful ones but things that have made my week better!
Fancy joining in, pop yourself a post together head back here and link back (Mr Linky at the bottom) I look forward to visiting to find out what rocked your week this week.
Before I put in Mr Linky I'll pop in a layout, I've got a few in reserve at the moment. A layout documenting when photos just get too much - don't you just love him!
Good Morning Rockettes - the start of a brand new year, everything sparkly and new, a clean slate a blank canvas, a time to take stock sit back and note your grateful moments for the last 7 days. I've become aware of a 'grateful' jar appearing on Facebook which follows something similar to the Rocking Posts this last week, it's nice to see none-bloggers starting to acknowledge the benefits of positivity in life!
So without further ado
First up has to be time off work, it's so nice to kick back a little bit and enjoy the festive season. When we have breaks from work normally we are on a holiday and rushing here there and everywhere to take as much in as is possible in 7 days. But at Christmas being at home, listening to said 12 year old rummaging through Lego boxes, playing games he got at Christmas such as Monopoly Millionaire and Connect 4 Launchers has been utter bliss!
Next up Mr Jamie Oliver's 15 minute meals, now this is a must have book on hubbies Christmas list, he watched every single episode (sometimes twice) and almost bought the book on numerous occasions before Christmas as he was desperate to get going on it, but he refrained and was most happy to find that he'd made Santa's good list and was rewarded with the book. We've already started making the meals out of the book and have yet to manage to make one in 15 minutes but together can usually throw one together in less than half an hour - which makes us happy! This is one of the first dishes we did and resulted in hubby creating the Nom scale, Nom means it's OK, Nom Nom means it's Good to be repeated and Nom Nom Nom means that it's off the scale!
Next up has to be Sunday night, we invited my brother, his girlfriend, my sister and my niece over for an evening of reminiscing, TV watching, food and some great company. We made three different curries, rice, poppadoms, naan bread and a salad made for a curry and everyone enjoyed their fill. We had a few glasses of wine, chatted, watched DVD's, played on the Wii and then the Xbox, we picked them up at 5pm and they were waved off in a taxi at gone 1am - now that's what you call a good night. The only issue I've got with it is that I failed miserably at taking a single photo - not a single one - what's wrong with me - I'm a scrapbooker it's what we do - drive everyone nuts taking photos all the time.
Thankfully my sister reciprocated with a New Year's Eve party the following night at her house and there I managed to take some photos and get a few video moments fit only to use as blackmail in future years LOL - New Year's Eve karaoke - always interesting! My sister singing the Darkness's "thing called love" was hysterical! My sister provided a great evenings company with my Mum and brother and his girlfriend all partaking in the festivities. Midnight and my brother let the New Year in and sang Auld Lang Syne, my Mum even brought the words to this and my sister did an amazing rendition of the same however, the modern day equivalent is nowhere near as entertaining!
New Year's Day was a day in as was the following day (the second not intentional just got a poorly 12 year old on our hands). Nonetheless we had a good day together, chatting about plans for January, food plans etc - always good for the soul planning. I also managed to book us a break at Easter yay to a week away!
The Artful Reading Club for challenging me to actually read books I get bought - let's see how long the first one takes.
And then today (being Thursday) my hubby insisting that we needed some fresh air (and he was right we did) and taking us off to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park for the afternoon. We had seen a fair few of the sculptures before as the Miro exhibition is still on (due to change this weekend - typical) but there were a few changes and I think this time we appreciated the sculptures just that little bit more. I felt very disappointed last time we'd visited but that's because the previous exhibition was Jaume Plensa - which was an absolutely amazing exhibition! Miro wasn't my cup of tea to begin with but having walked around the same this afternoon - perhaps I might have changed my mind if only a little!
We got to see some work by Mark Hearld
then discovered some fabulous planter tags in the greenhouse
then we came across a new sculpture we'd not seen before
and just to put it in perspective
then the recycled pirate ship
then we spotted this from a distance, they run a sculpting course at YSP
said 12 year old working out the tree was five and a half hugs!
finding new sculptures in the Camellia House - this was a bowl (I kid you not).
then we discovered this - what is it - well we were confused particularly when you realise that it actually looked
like this
however all became a little more clear once inside the shed, you walked around the inside to the back and up three steps until you were inside the sphere, four small lenses meant that the shadows of the surrounding trees were reflected on the inside of the sphere albeit upside down and being perfectly spherical it was very good at distorting your voice. We would have spent a lot longer in there given half a chance but were interrupted by other visitors.
Back in the main building we got to see the beginnings of the next exhibition - said 12 year old mighty giddy about moving sculptures!
And finally as we left, we were treated to one of Jaume Plensa's installations - lit up for us to enjoy and discovering it changes colour like a mood person.
So many gratefuls in my week, time, people, fresh air, art work - nothing finer! How was your week? Fancy joining in, pop yourself a post together and link back here so we can come and share your positives. Don't think you've had that many this week, grab a cuppa and a pen and a paper you'll be surprised and it doesn't have to be anything major - a cup of tea in bed or a phone call from a loved one - big or small positives make your world richer and happier!
I'll leave you with a bit of crafting and then Mr Linky is at the end, this one from a UK Scrappers cybercrop class.
Good Morning - look at me go, two posts in two days. Well I've got a poorly 12 year old on my hands a bad throat and bit of a temperature but he's not used to being poorly so he's finding it really hard. Yesterday he spent literally all day on the sofa not moving, watching drivel on TV, playing on the laptop, listening to You Tube. However, this means me and hubby are feeling like caged animals - we had hoped to go out for a walk yesterday but it wasn't to be - well not in a 'family' kind of way. So we went out in relays to the supermarket to stock up the store cupboard according to Jamie's 15 minute meal books, we still have a lot of things missing!
Anyway I digress, today is more overcast then yesterday with grey clouds looming, but we're going out to blow off the cobwebs! I'll update you tomorrow on what we get up to!
Crafting, I'm sure I mentioned crafting somewhere - this layout shows my slight obsession with fabulous gates. This one no exception and worthy of a layout - don't you think!
Right off for shower then out to get some fresh air!
I'm always amazed when I manage to create a gift that I'm happy with, I was even more amazed that I managed to create a gift that I not only liked but that didn't take very long to put together.
Last year I got hold of a large-ish frame and got hubby to disassemble it and then I painted the frame up black and that was as far as it got. I had no idea what I was going to do with it so it sat languishing in my craft cupboards for the last 12 months.
As I gathered Christmas gifts together I remembered the frame and dragged it out. The frame contained a picture mount in it, the problem with the frame and it's mount was that it was too big for any photos I'd got and I knew I wanted to make it for my sister. Last year I created lots of black frames for her staircase. The intention for this frame was for the same part of my sister's house. Now she'd started to create an Alice in Wonderland themed staircase but has yet to finish it, but I hoped that this frame my cajole her into completing that task.
So I puzzled over the frame, then within a very short space of time, I'd printed words of her favourite quote from the film using an 'Alice' like font, grabbed a load of stamps that I own and made an eclectic mix of these stamps onto the mount, reassembled the frame and it was good to go.
Up close
and again
The gift was well received and my sister was amazed that I had so many Alice inspired stamps!
Good Morning and a Happy New Year to you all, I start this 1 January with a brand new challenge from Darcy - this time to get us reading more - something I could definitely do with! So here is the photo of my books for this year a rather eclectic mix, some have been on my bookshelf for an age, some are new Christmas books, some were cheap buys and some were 'must reads' according to hubby. The key to all of them is that I've been a reluctant reader for a while. I know what I like to read and therefore read, re-read and read them some more, rarely leaving my comfort zone. There were a couple of other contenders, Charles Dickens 'A Christmas Carol' is something I wanted to read this year but didn't get around to it and would be a great December read in 2013 but I technically don't currently own it. I also considered adding the next J R Ward book that will be released at some point this year, but I'll read that regardless and I feel that the challenge is partly to do with reading things that we wouldn't normally.
First up on the list is The Diary of a Submissive, having subjected myself to the 50 Shades saga in 2012 this one is apparently written by a true life submissive, it got bought in one of those 2 for £7 deals when I couldn't identify anything else I fancied buying and has sat gathering dust ever since albeit probably only just over 2 months!
Let's just say it might make for some interesting art work!
